Pardon sought for Christian Pakistani

by Kay Johnson - Nov. 21, 2010 12:00 AMAssociated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The family of a Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam said Saturday that they are hoping for a presidential pardon that could bring her home in time for Christmas.

The case against Asia Bibi - which started with a spat over a sip of water - has renewed calls for reform of Pakistan's blasphemy law, which critics say have been used to settle grudges, persecute minorities and fan religious extremism.

President Asif Ali Zardari has asked for a report on the case and could issue a pardon even before a court issues its decision on an appeal against the verdict, said Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for minority affairs.

The 45-year-old mother of five appeared in a tearful televised briefing for reporters Saturday at the prison in Punjab province, declaring her innocence to reporters and maintaining the case stemmed from personal disputes that led to a false accusation.

"I have small children," pleaded Bibi, wearing a veil covering all but her eyes. "For God's sake, please set me free."

Bibi has been in prison for the past 1 1/2 years and on Nov. 8 became the first woman sentenced to hang for blasphemy. Pope Benedict XVI has called for her release.

Dozens of Pakistanis are sentenced to death each year under the blasphemy law, which dates back to the 1980s military rule of Gen. Mohammad Zia ul-Haq. Most cases are thrown out by higher courts, and no executions have been carried out, Bhatti said, but the law is being examined to prevent what he said is widespread abuse by religious extremists and opportunists.

Pakistan's Christians, who make up less than 5 percent of Muslim-majority Pakistan's 175 million people, are frequently the targets of accusers invoking the law, Bhatti said.

The minister said accusations have increased in recent years along with the rise of Muslim extremism that has also fueled the Taliban and other insurgent groups seeking to impose Islamic rule based on a strict interpretation of the holy book, the Quran.

"This law is a tool in the hands of the extremists," Bhatti said.

The blasphemy law is unlikely to be repealed because the government's ruling party - largely secular - relies on the support of Islamist groupings. But Bhatti said the government was working to amend the law.

Among the possible reforms, he said, are including punishments for anyone making false accusations and taking the initial investigation out of the hands of local police and instead entrusting them to district officials.